On Sunday 22nd January 2017, at a joyful Hierarchal Liturgy at the parish of St Elisabeth the New Martyr, Wallasey, trustee Aidan Draper welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion with the traditional bread and salt. He was also welcomed by Archpriest Paul Elliott, rector of the parish, and a congregation of well over seventy people.

During the Liturgy, Vladyka Hilarion ordained Monk Mark (Underwood) to the Holy Priesthood. Hieromonk Mark will now serve the Parishes in Cardiff and Cheltenham. His Eminence also tonsured Reader Gildas Meal, and ordained Reader Chad Newman to the Subdiaconate for the Parish of St Elisabeth’s, as well as to assist at the Cathedral when he is in London.

Also serving at the Hierarchical Liturgy were Subdeacon Silouan Leon and Reader Paul Ziolo. At the Little Entrance, the Metropolitan awarded Hieromonk Michael (Wood) the right to wear a Gold Cross, in recognition of his twenty years of divine service; and Priest Thomas Cook was awarded the the nabedrennik for his faithful service. Vladyka also thanked Matushka Elizabeth for her care of the choir and all her hard work in the parish. Archpriest Paul presented the Metropolitan with a gift of an icon of the Tsar Martyr Nicholas to travel with him on his visits to the UK and Ireland.

After a festive meal in the church, the First Hierarch met with parishioners in the parish house, before moving on to Mettingham on Monday 23rd January.